More than 2,000 origami doves and cardinals will fill St. Andrew’s worship spaces through January 2027 – symbolizing the church’s 40-year journey and vision for the future
St. Andrew Methodist Church is celebrating 40 years in Plano, by honoring its history, celebrating its impact and looking ahead to the next chapter with SOAR, a one-of-a-kind art installation featuring more than 2,000 hand-folded origami doves and cardinals suspended throughout its three worship spaces. Similar origami installations have been featured in churches around the world, but St. Andrew will be only the fourth church in the United States – and the first in the Southwestern U.S. – to host one, as well as the first to feature cardinals alongside the doves.
In the sanctuary and Hasley Chapel, the birds will be attached individually by hand to large nets that will be lifted high above the worship spaces, creating the effect of flocks soaring overhead. The intricately folded doves and cardinals will sweep upward, symbolizing St. Andrew’s 40-year journey and its vision for the future – one filled with hope, peace and possibilities.
SOAR, uniquely named by St. Andrew, was designed by Taro’s Origami Studio, based in Brooklyn, New York. Founded by artist and president Taro Yaguchi, the studio creates custom origami artwork and installations. Representatives visited St. Andrew earlier this year to create the designs for each of the three worship spaces, and the studio’s team of artists have devoted the summer to hand-folding the doves and cardinals for St. Andrew’s installation.
“SOAR is a beautiful expression of where St. Andrew is headed as we look toward the next 40 years,” said Rev. Arthur Jones, senior pastor, St. Andrew. “It symbolizes God’s grace and presence and the strength He gives us to rise and embrace what lies ahead. It is also a testament to the generosity of our congregation, who have sponsored the birds in honor or memory of people who have made a difference in their lives.”
Founded in 1986 by the late Rev. Robert Hasley, St. Andrew began with a meeting of 20 people in a Plano home. Its first worship service was held at Shepton High School, where it was attended by 500 people. In 1990, the church family marched from Shepton to the building site, where a ground-breaking ceremony was held for the first building phase. After moving to its current Plano campus in 1991, the church continued to grow through expanded worship, facilities, community outreach and mission work. Four decades later, St. Andrew welcomes more than 2,000 people each weekend and continues to look for new ways to serve its congregation and community.
“The task for St. Andrew’s next 40 years is to continue the faithfulness and good work that have defined the church for the past four decades,” added Rev. Jones. “During that time, we have launched new ministries and worship services and continually looked for ways to preach and live out the good news of Jesus Christ. God has blessed us with amazing members, staff and leaders who have transformed Plano, North Texas, and the world through their love of God and neighbor. As an independent Methodist church, we are called to be a cross-denominational leader and a connecting point for churches that want to see people and communities flourish by finding purpose and meaning through faith in Jesus.”
The installation will be completed in advance of the anniversary weekend, and following its debut, SOAR will be open to visitors through January 2027, with guided tours offered on the first Thursday of each month beginning in October.
“We are honored to share this special installation with our worshippers as well as the community as we celebrate our past and look with hope and excitement toward the future,” continued Rev. Jones. “God has done amazing things through St. Andrew, and we believe He’s not done yet.”
St. Andrew will hold 40th anniversary worship services, featuring the premiere of SOAR, on Saturday, Sept. 12 and Sunday, Sept. 13. Services will feature special music, including a newly commissioned anniversary piece, composed by John Wasson and performed by a symphonic brass orchestra during the 9:30 a.m. traditional service on Sept. 13. A horn section will perform along with the house band during the 9:30 and 11 a.m. contemporary services. The weekend will include other special touches celebrating four decades of St. Andrew, including late founding pastor Rev. Robert Hasley’s favorite chocolate chip cookies, served after all services.
40th Anniversary Worship Services – Sept. 12 and 13
Traditional – Saturday, Sept. 12 at 5:30 p.m. in Hasley Chapel;
Sunday, Sept. 13 at 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary; and 11 a.m. in Hasley Chapel
Contemporary – Sunday, Sept. 13 at 9:30 a.m. in Smith Worship Center and 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary
Tours of SOAR will be offered from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Oct. 1, Nov. 5, Dec. 3, and Jan. 7. Groups of 12 or more may schedule a private tour. Details are available at standrewmethodist.org/SOAR.
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St. Andrew Methodist Church, founded in 1986, is an independent Methodist congregation in Plano, Texas, with more than 8,000 members. St. Andrew is committed to faith that is real, practical, and life-changing, while offering opportunities for traditional and contemporary worship, discipleship, and service locally, regionally, and globally. The church is home to Invite Ministries, its publishing house, and Beacon of Light, a mental health ministry. St. Andrew is a community of people seeking to live more like Jesus every day and to learn in deeper ways what it means to follow His teachings, live in community, and serve the world. 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, TX 75093, www.standrewmethodist.org, (972) 380-8001